Monday, November 14, 2016

Seriously? Donald Trump??








A Yahoo News report said this about the President-elect: 

            Trump alienated immigrants, made enemies of Muslims, insulted and mocked women, and still won. He left unchallenged the belief that he had avoided paying federal income taxes for years, he faced plausible, if unproven, accusations of running a fraudulent business (his “Trump University”), and he retweeted racist and anti-Semitic images and memes — and still he won.

Yahoo News may be right about Trump, but it’s still a very good thing that he won. Before you write me off as crazy, hear me out.

The Bible is clear about what happens to nations that do not follow God.

Isaiah 60:12 – For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.

The Bible is also clear about what makes a nation great.

Proverbs 14:34 – Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

America was founded by people who had moral conviction and believed in the Great Creator. Were the founding fathers perfect? Of course not.  But they put stock in God’s word, and they founded this country upon biblical principles.  It is no coincidence that America eventually became the greatest nation in the world. No doubt God allowed America to flourish because the moral character of its people, and He knew His church would have a fertile place to grow.

In my opinion, America’s golden era occurred in the 1940s and 1950s.  Just ask my grandmother, and she’ll tell you why things were so great.  She would tell you that the post-war generation knew the value of hard work. They were a church-going people, and they believed in God and His word. God was part of the government, he was found in the schools, and he was at the center of the home.  Abortion was illegal, same-sex marriage was illegal, prayer was allowed and encouraged in schools, neighbors helped neighbors, and towns were safer. Things are pretty much opposite today, and our nation is in moral decline.

So why is Trump a good thing for our country?  If he holds true to his promises, he’ll appoint conservative Supreme Court Justices who are more likely to align themselves with biblical principles. A conservative Court will go a long way in putting our nation on the righteous path (remember Proverbs 14:34).

Personally, I’m not a Republican or a Democrat. I’m simply a Christian.  I didn’t vote for Trump out of party loyalty.  I don’t care much about his policies regarding healthcare reform, immigration control, or building a wall. I’m a citizen of a greater kingdom – Christ’s church, so I care more about the conservative stance Trump apparently takes on moral issues. I pray he’ll keep his word on those.  America will not perish because of political issues like healthcare reform, but it can certainly perish because of moral issues and failing to follow God’s word.

Lord willing, Trump will help make America great again, not through insults, scandal, or bigotry, but by consulting the biblical principles that made America great in the first place.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Trump v. Hillary - How Did We Get Here?



There’s a ton of anticipation surrounding November 8, 2016.  The political line is drawn – Trump on one side, Hillary on the other.  I don’t consider myself overly political. I know as much about politics as the average citizen, but like everyone else, I occasionally scroll through news sites or social media to read up on the latest scandals stories about these candidates.  It may just be me, but I feel like there has never been such a clown show of an election. Controversy has always existed in politics, but this year, it seems the parties couldn’t be more divided, and the nominees couldn’t be any more despised by either side. Most (but not all) of the GOP believes Trump will shake the establishment with in-your-face change, while Dems believe The Donald is nothing more than a greedy, egotistical maniac who lacks any real experience.  The Left believes Hillary is a decorated politician with the experience to keep our country great, but the Right believes she is corrupt and should be in prison. 

Most likely, there is truth to each side’s ridicule of the opponent, and this creates a dilemma for a certain set of the population.  For the citizen who is most interested in the moral condition of the nation, this election presents a problem. There’s pretty much a zero percent chance that a true conservative would vote for Hillary Clinton. However, what is the other option? Should that conservative feel good about voting for a business tycoon who is in his third marriage and likely violated a good bit of the moral code on his way to the top? 

Considering our options come November, I ask this question.  How in the world did we get here?

I kind of mean how we got to a place where these two candidates are our choices. But, more so, I mean how our country slid into its immoral condition. 


God made life sacred (Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 9:6), but murders (including abortions) happen every day. 

God defined marriage as being between one man and one woman, for life (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:3-10), but homosexuality is celebrated, and divorce is the norm. 

God provides proof all around us that He is the creator (Ps. 19:1), but schools teach evolution (Ps. 10:4). 

God gave His inspired Word (II Tim. 3:16; Jude 3), but society calls it a fairytale. 

God sacrificed His Son (John 3:16) and established one church through Him (Eph 1:22-23; Eph. 4:4), but most refuse to believe and obey.

God commanded us to obey the gospel (II Thes. 1:8), to live a life of love and sacrifice (Mk 12:31), to help others (Mt. 25:34-40), and to preach to the lost (Mk 16:15-16), but society will call you a radical or even a bigot for doing so.  

Ultimately, the answer to how we got here is simple.  God is no longer the focus.   We have pushed him out of our homes, and we have pushed him out of the government.  

How many of us are members of the true church?  How many of us study and pray? How many of us help the poor, widows, and orphans? How many of us worship just the way the New Testament instructs? How many of us teach the Bible to others? The answer is few, so it’s no wonder that our country has declined and we’re faced with the choice of these candidates.

All things considered, America is still the greatest country in the world, and I’m very thankful that I live here. I just hope and pray that it’s not too late to get us back on course as being “one nation under God.”  One thing is for sure – no matter what happens in November, God is still in control, and He will take care of his people in the end.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

“Saint” Mother Teresa?







Pope Francis says that Mother Teresa will soon become a “saint.”  This article from USA Today references the story and lists the following requirements of becoming a “saint” of the Catholic Church:   


1.) At least five years after the candidate’s death, their life is examined and it is decided whether they are worthy to be called a “Servant of God.”  (The previous Pope sped up the process and put Teresa up for examination within two years of her death).
2.) Church officials again examine the candidate’s life and prove whether he or she lived heroic virtues. Upon passing the examination, the candidate earns the title of “Venerable.”
3.) One miracle is proven, and the candidate earns the title of “Blessed.”
4.) A second miracle is proven, and the candidate then becomes a “Saint.”


The Catholic Church supposedly confirmed two miracles of Teresa. In 2003, a woman’s brain tumor allegedly disappeared after she prayed to Teresa.  Again in 2015, a man was healed of his brain tumors when he prayed to Teresa. In each case, the Pope declared these miracles as being authentic.


First of all, to any serious bible student, the belief that one can pray to anyone other than God and be healed is absolutely ludicrous.  Secondly, there is no biblical example of anyone being healed by a dead person. Finally, with the death of the apostles and any person on whom they laid hands, the miraculous age ended.  Miracles were performed as a way to confirm the message of the apostles and those spreading the gospel during the first century. Once God’s inspired word (the bible) was completed, there was no longer a need for miracles. No one can perform miracles today.


The Catholic Church is insanely wrong about its idea of sainthood. For starters, it is up to God to determine whether a person is His virtuous servant. Also, as already stated, no one can be proven by miracles while alive and especially while dead.


The Catholic Church’s view on becoming a saint is far removed from scripture.  Here’s what the Bible says about saints:


1.) Daniel 7:18-25 prophesied that God’s kingdom would be made up of the saints.  Ephesians 1 and 4 define the kingdom as the church. Thus, saints are all the members of Christ’s church


2.) ALL of the church members of each congregation were called saints.

    a.) Consider I Corinthians 1:2:
To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:


    b.) Roman 1:7:
to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


While addressing the congregations at Corinth and Rome, Paul refers to them as saints. Where in these passages do you find the Catholic Church's process of taking a dead person through a four-step process in order to make them a saint?


3.)  A person becomes a saint prior to death.  In Matthew 27, Jesus spoke about His second coming, and in verse 52, He mentions the bodies of "the saints who had fallen asleep (died)" being raised. It is obviously implied that sainthood preceded death for these people.


4.) The Bible gives no example or authorization for praying to human beings, whether they are alive or dead.  Prayers to dead "saints" are commonplace in the Catholic Church; however, this a concept not found in scripture.


Fortunately, and contrary to what the Catholic Church teaches, sainthood is open to us all. We can all become saints in Christ's church.  By putting on Christ in baptism (Gal. 3:27), you'll call upon His name and have your sins washed away (Acts 22:16), and you'll be added to His body (Acts 2:47).  At that point, you'll become one of His saints.  Make sure to become a saint while there's still time because it certainly won't happen after you're dead.  Thankfully it's up to you and not some misguided church official.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

Can a Christian Lose His/Her Salvation?



Do you believe that once a person is saved, they're always saved?   Do you believe that a Christian can't fall from grace?

If you do, you're like many people who believe a teaching that primarily stems from John Calvin's idea called "perseverance of the saints."  I think this doctrine of eternal security comes from an interpretation of Romans 8:39, which states, "nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Considering Romans 8:39 in conjunction with the rest of the scripture, what does the Bible say about the security of one's salvation? 

There is one bible verse that contains the phrase "fallen from grace."  Interestingly, it indicates that a Christian CAN fall from grace, which is the opposite of what many believe.  Galatians 5:4 says, "you have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by the law, you have fallen from grace."   In context, Paul is talking to Jewish Christians who were still holding on to parts of the Old Law even though it had been taken out of the way by Christ. Their error caused Paul to reprimand them and say that they were in a lost state - fallen from God's grace.  If it were impossible for them to fall from grace, why would Paul even bring it up?

Taking it a step further, let's consider the account of Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8.  Simon was a con-artist, impressing people with trickery.  After hearing the gospel, he believed and was baptized, and he was added to the Lord's body as a Christian. When he witnessed the apostles performing miracles, or "real magic" in his eyes, he thought he could offer to buy those same gifts.  He was quickly scolded by Peter who said, "repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."  Question:  would you say that it's possible to go to Heaven if you are in the gall of bitterness and the bondage of iniquity?  A reasonable mind would say no.  Here we see a clear example of a saved believer sinning and falling into a lost state and being told to repent.  Why would Peter tell him to repent if it weren't possible for him to be lost?

Consider James 5:19-20: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."  This is clearly referring to erring Christians who have fallen away.  Why would it be necessary to bring an erring Christian back if they can't be lost?

Finally, Revelation 2:10 indicates that if Christians are faithful unto death, they'll receive a crown of life.  The reward is dependent on faithfulness.  The Christian must remain faithful. Why would the Spirit instruct us to remain faithful if it's impossible for us to lose our salvation?

In regards to Romans 8:39, this verse is referring to the institution of the church that is guaranteed salvation. The church WILL be saved, but there is no guarantee of salvation for those members who fall away.  In fact, there is no chance of salvation for those who remain unfaithful and disobedient.

The are many other examples in scripture about the possibility of losing salvation. Wouldn't it be great if everyone turned to what the bible says about the issue instead of relying on a man-made doctrine?


Tuesday, January 5, 2016

A Happy New Year with IBTM!



Welcome to 2016!  During this time of year, we hear a lot about New Year resolutions. Most of us make plans to eat healthier, exercise more, or to quit bad habits.  These are certainly good things to do; however, wouldn’t it be better if we focused more on spiritual matters?  After all, it is the spirit that will live on eternally, not the body.  Exercise and diet changes are good things since we are to be good stewards of our God-given bodies, but I’m afraid we’re all guilty at times of neglecting our spiritual condition.  Paul said that “bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things” (I Tim. 4:8a). 

If you’re resolved to improve your physical condition, by all means, keep that resolve. However, I’d like to strongly encourage you to work on your spiritual conditioning as well. A great way to do that is to sign up for bible lessons through International Bible Teaching Ministry (IBTM).  It’s a self-study program where you can study God’s word in a simple way at your own pace.  After each lesson, you’ll take a test that is graded by a real person. The grading is done by email. For those of you who know my wife or me, you can request that we receive your completed tests for grading. 

If you’ve always wanted to study God’s pure and unaltered word, give IBTM a shot. You won’t regret it!  To get started, visit:

http://www.ibtministries.org/pagevw.php?pgid=bcc.htm